Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Washington DC?

Chesapeake has lower average private school tuition at $14,300/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $14,100/year less, or $183,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Chesapeake over Washington DC?

Average tuition in Chesapeake is $14,100/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $183,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Chesapeake and Washington DC private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Washington DC

Chesapeake averages $14,100/year less for private school (99% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $183,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Chesapeake is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,300/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,100
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$15,200/yr	-$5,400
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$17,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$23,000/yr	-$10,800
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$28,400/yr	-$14,100
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$18,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Chesapeake saves $183,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $366,600.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Chesapeake breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Virginia private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.